St. Tammany Parish Hospital and Ochsner Health System announced plans Friday (May 9) to join forces in a "strategic partnership," though it isn't immediately clear exactly what the partnership will entail.

The two hospitals agreed in a letter of intent to "form a strategic partnership which will focus on delivering the Northshore great access to quality health care in the most effective manner," according to a press release issued by the hospitals.

"The partnership will enable St. Tammany Parish Hospital to align our strongly respected and well-loved brand with Ochsner's nationally recognized reputation, creating the largest, most comprehensive system in western St. Tammany," St. Tammany Parish Hospital President Patti Ellish is quoted as saying.

Hospital officials said nothing about the agreement will change the governance of St. Tammany Parish Hospital, which is a service district hospital under local governance. "Each organization will retain its name, assets and staff," the announcement said. "Working as a team in western St. Tammany Parish, the two will offer patients an even wider range of options when it comes to where they want to receive care."

Here is the full text of the press release issued by the hospitals. Stay with NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune as we report the story.

ST. TAMMANY PARISH HOSPITAL AND OCHSNER HEALTH SYSTEM PLAN PARTNERSHIP TO IMPROVE NORTHSHORE ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE

NEW ORLEANS (May 9, 2014) -- Today, St. Tammany Parish Hospital ("STPH") and Ochsner Health System ("Ochsner") announced the signing of a Letter of Intent to form a strategic partnership which will focus on delivering the Northshore great access to quality healthcare in the most cost-effective manner. This partnership positions both organizations for success in the new healthcare environment.

"This partnership will enable St. Tammany Parish Hospital to align our strongly respected and well-loved brand with Ochsner's nationally recognized reputation, creating the largest, most comprehensive system in western St. Tammany," STPH President Patti Ellish said. "It is strategic partnerships like this one that will help healthcare organizations thrive in our changing industry."

The partnership between Ochsner and STPH provides strategic benefits for both organizations, their physicians and, most importantly, their patients. It provides an opportunity for both organizations to realize future growth opportunities through appropriate expansion of services, improved coordination of resources, sharing of best practices, a continued focus on quality and implementation of advanced technology. These advances will result in more integrated care and better value for patients.

"The challenges we currently face as healthcare providers are unprecedented. There is no doubt the future of healthcare will be about collaboration," said Warner Thomas, President and CEO, Ochsner Health System. "Partnerships like this one are crucial for independent hospitals and providers as well as for larger systems. We are lucky to have two leading organizations coming together to build upon our common vision to lead in a time of change. Together, we will improve the delivery of healthcare to continue to make our communities stronger and healthier."

"We view this as an opportunity to strengthen and expand quality healthcare for the residents of western St. Tammany Parish. We must continue to increase access to care while providing the highest quality at the lowest possible cost," said John Evans, chair, St. Tammany Parish Hospital Board of Commissioners.

STPH is a service district hospital under local governance. Nothing about this partnership agreement changes the governance, employees or medical staff relationships of St. Tammany Parish Hospital Service District #1 or of Ochsner Health System. Each organization will retain its name, assets and staff. Working as a team in western St. Tammany Parish, the two will offer patients an even wider range of options when it comes to where they want to receive care.

"Both St. Tammany Parish Hospital and Ochsner Health System are well known for offering the highest quality care," said James Maurin, past Chair, Ochsner Health System Board of Directors. "The achievements to date are a testament to our collective physicians and care teams."

"We are committed to working closely with St. Tammany Parish Hospital to build a customized partnership that benefits patients, physicians and our staffs," said Suzanne Mestayer, Chair, Ochsner Health System Board of Directors. "This is an exciting time in healthcare and together, we look forward to continued investment in our communities."

Staff writer Rebecca Catalanello can be reached at rcatalanello@nola.com or 505-717-7701.